Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all the input and experiences shared. The related threads were hepful, too. I am going to consider Rainbow Science. I found out that they have a trial offer.

Has anyone used "Rainbow Science" by Beginnings Publishing? I am interested in finding out what people liked or did not like about it. Thanks, in advance.

Does anyone know of any good books that are written to the homeschool student (teen) about homeschooling? Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice and shared experiences. I like the idea of looking into what our kids are interested in first and then joining or creating those events to meet like-minded people. More comments are welcome. Just thought I'd say "thanks" first.

How do you provide friendships for your teens? What happens when you've tried to connect with other homeschoolers in your area, but your children are not connecting with them?

Thanks for all the ideas and advice. I think I will do the "Ancients" with them so that they can have some kind of starting point for all of history. I also like the idea of doing some American History with them at the same time. Will it be too much for them, though? How do integrate the two? World history on some days and American history on other days?

I have 2 children in the mid-upper elementary age stage. I haven't really done a lot of history with them in the past. I am wondering if I should have them start with Ancient History and work chronologically forward or start with American History first and then go back to the Ancients, etc. I have heard two philosophies: 1. Start with Ancient History and move chronologically. or 2. Start with American History because it is easier for kids at this stage to grasp and enjoy more. Then go back to Ancient History, Renaissance and such at a later age. Which one is better? Thanks, in advance!

Does anyone know if we are permitted to photocopy pictures from a book or print from the internet for educational purposes, such as reports, projects, etc? Thanks in advance!

Which Language Arts curriculums would you recommend for a 10th grader? (literature analysis, grammar, critical thinking, essays, etc.) I need something that has good literature analysis and discussion along with essay assignments and such.

I'm having a hard time trying to decide which Language Arts curriculum to use. I have kids in elementary, middle and high school. I was using "Classical Writing: (by Kathy Weitz) for a little while, but was a bit overwhelmed by it. I also have Rod & Staff English, but I still had to supplement composition writing. My kids think its tedious. I just purchased Learning Language Arts through Literature because it seems like it incorporates grammar, spelling, writing, and literature. Has anyone used these curriculums? What are the adv. or disadv. of each? What combinations of Lang. Arts curriculums do you use? Or, what other curriculums would you recommend? Thanks!

I am in the process of reading the Well-Trained Mind, by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. They recommend the following for history sequence: 5th gr. - Ancients (5000 BC - 400 AD) 6th gr. - Medieval-Early Renaissance (400-1600) 7th gr. - Late Renaissance - Early Modern (1600-1850) 8th gr. - 1850 - Present What if my 8th grader has not had a solid background in any of the other time periods from 5th-7th gr.? Should I still have her study 1850-Present? or should I use this year to do a quick overview of the other time periods somehow?

Is there a difference between the "Usborne Book of World History" vs. the "Usborne Encyclopedia of World History"? The Well-Trained Mind recommends the "Usborne Book of World History," but I already own the "Usborne Encyclopedia of World History." I am wondering if I need to purchase the "Usborne Book of World History" too. Thanks!

What did you like about Chalk Dust vs. Ask Dr. Callahan?

Has anyone compared Ask Dr. Callahan's high school math curriculum with Chalk Dust? What did you think? Thanks!

Haven't thought of MFW. Thanks!